Dale Murawski

A former Boston-based real estate agent has pleaded guilty and been sentenced in connection with stealing more than $166,000 from 19 individuals, including his coworkers and acquaintances.

Dale Alexander Murawski, 43, formerly of Boston and most recently residing in New Jersey, pleaded guilty today in Suffolk Superior Court to the charges of larceny over $250 (18 counts). Following the plea, Judge Janet Sanders sentenced Murawski to two years, followed by three years of probation. Murawski was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

The Office of the Attorney General began an investigation in 2016 following a complaint received by the office. Murawski was arraigned in May 2017.

Authorities found that Murawski employed a variety of schemes that generally involved telling a coworker or acquaintance that he needed money in connection with his divorce or for a real estate purchase. Murawski told these individuals that he did not have ready access to his own funds because he was transferring money between accounts or selling stock. He also said that he was seeking a short-term loan that he would pay back with 20 percent interest in a matter of days.

Throughout all these schemes, Murawski did not use the money received for its stated purpose, but instead used it to gamble or cover other personal expenses. Murawski paid some victims back early by using gambling winnings or money from other victims, but authorities found that he ultimately failed to repay more than $143,000.